Flexible pipe connection



.. I 1,617,589 Feb. 15,1927. 5 H GOLD I FLEXIBLE PIPE CONNECTIONOriginal Filed 001'; 11, 1924 frwent 01:

Patented Feb. 15, 1927a a. imax EGBERT H. GOLD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLEXIBLE PIPE CONNECTION.

Original application filed October 11,

My invention relates to a gasket, and more particularly to agasketintended to seal the parts of a flexible joint comprising a ball memberextending within, but out of fric tional contact with an interiorlycylindrical socket member with which the ball member is flexiblyarticulated for example bymeans of a gimbal joint construct-ion.Flexible 'pipe joints of this sort have been provided with gaskets ofrubber composition, Jenkins material for example, which are exteriorlycylindrical to fit the cylindrical bore of the socket and are tapered attheir outer. ends.

so as to fit against the ball member of the joint.

As the surface in contact with the ball wears, due to the vibratorymovements of the members of the oint, the gasket slides along the socketto take up this Wear. The gasket is, in fact, constantly pressed againstthe ball member by means of a spring or by, fluid pressure in the joint,or both.

The primary object of my present invention is to improve upon a gasketof this type so as to obtain better and more reliable sealin-g action.The-result is accomplished by making the gasket in two sections whichhave wedging relation one upon the other.

This wedging action, made eifectivethrough longitudinal thrust of thegasket, tends to force one of the members inwardly against the ballmember of the joint and the other outwardly against the socket member.

This application .is a division of my, copending application743,091,.filed October the parts assembled.

The flexible joint shown in the drawing is intended particularly for useas an element of an all-metal pipe connection for use in connecting thetrain pipes on adjacent cars of a railway steam train, and is con-,structed as follows: is a socket member. having an mterlor cylindricalsurface 11.

1924, Serial No. 743,091. Divided and this application filed June 20,1925. Serial No. 38,465.

12 is a ball member which projects into the end of the socket member andis articulated therewith so as to be out of'frictional contact with theso-called socket member. v As shown, a collar 13 is swiveled on-the neckportion l of the ball member against a shoulder 15. This collar isformedwith diametrically arranged arms 16 pivoted by. means of studs 17to a ring 18' which surrounds the ball member and the outer end of thesocket member; The ring 18'is pivoted by studs 19 to bosses 20 on theball member. This arrangement constitutes a gimbalT joint which holdsthe ball member centeredinthe socket, member with-capacity for universalangular movement, Within certain; limits, and also with capac ty forswivelmg mo-vement'with respect to the socket member.-

The gasket or packing for sealing thereiativelywmovable conduit members10' and 12 consists of outer and inner annular gasket members 21 and 22which, because of their configuration, have a wedgmg actlon one on theother when pressure is exerted against the inner end of the innermember. Member 21 gasket member and member 22 as the inner gasketmembeifbecause of the posit-ions of these members with respect to theouter end of socket member 10. The member 21 is preferably made ofarubber composition, of the type, for example, known as Jenkins isreferred to as the outer material, consisting of rubberiniX'd with asobestos. The inner member 22' may be made of the same material but ispreferably formed of a somewhat softer rubber composition;

While the rubber composition of the Jenkins 'material type is relativelyhard when cold,

it is softened somewhat at the temperature of steam so that when thegasket'isused in a jointconnecting steam train-pipes it is not essentialthatthe inner member be "of softer composition.

The outer gasket member 21 is formed interi'orly with a preferablyspherical surface 23 to fit the ball member 12 and er:

teriorly, at the other end ofrsaid member,

with a beveled. surface24. V t

The inner gasket member22, is formed interiorly with a beveled surface25,, corresponding in angularity to the beveled surface 2-1 on member 21A conical metal ring 26 is interposed betweenfsurfaces '24 and 25.; Thisring may be prQvidedQal though this is optional, with an outwardlyprojectingflange 27 forming an arinoring for the cylindrical outersurface 28 of gasket member21, in which case the over-all diameter ofmember 21 is a trifle less than the over-all diameter of member 22, theouter I cylindrical surface 29 of which is intended tobear againstthecyindrical surface 11 of socket member 10. The metal ring 26 is preferably formed with an upstanding flange 30 having a-plurality of slits31in its edge so cas toprovide ears 32 which maybe bent back; to hold inplace on the inner surface 7 33 of member 22 an annular washer '34. The

metallic ring 26, 27 may or may not be cemented or molded to the gasketmember 21. Preferably a 7 spring 35 is interposed between ashoulder 36on the socket member 10 and washer 84. This sprin when used,

tends'to, force the gasket into the, space between the ball member andthe socket mem her. When the joint is under fluid pressure same result.I

.In either case, when pressure is exerted against the gasket tending tomove it as a whole in the direction of its length, a wedge ing actiontakes place between thetwo members 21 and 22 of the gasket wherebymember 21, isforced against the ball 12 while member 2 2 is forcedagainst the cylindrical surface 11 of the socket member 10. In otherwords, the inner member 22 is wedged into the space between thecylindrical surface 11 and the conical ring 26 with the double effect ofincreasing the-effectiveness of the [seal as between the gasket andsurface 11,

and at the same :time compressing the member 21 against the ball 12; vThis operation is especially effective because of the softened conditionof the material of which members 21 and 22 areformed'due to the heat ofthe i 1 steam passingthrough the joint.

As the a surface 23 of the outer gasket member 21 wears, the wear be ngconsiderable because'of the consequent flexing movements as betweenconduit members 10 and 12, the wear is taken up automatically bytheoutward movement of the gasket under the action of fluid pressure andspring 35' Ijdo not intend to make any claim herein to the inventiondescribed interms broad enough to cover. the. alternate speciesdisclosed in the parent ca'sefSerial No. 743.091,

above referred to as claims generic to both species'are made in vtheparent case. ",ll clalmz 3 1.7 A flexible pipe connection, comprising aninteriorly cylindrical socket, a ball projectingywithin but vnot incontact with the wall thereof, connecting means between the ballandsocket preventing disengagement but allowing universal relative angular-movements thereof, a. gasket member slid-' -,able';in thecylindricalrlrecess andhaving a' .icurv'ed face bearing against'theinner portion of the ball,a conical ring bearing on said gasket member,and another separate 7 gasket member of soft material pressed betweenthe ring and the wall of the socket. V 2. A flexible pipe connection,comprising an interiorly cylindrical socket, a ball projecting withinbut not in contact with the side wall thereof, connecting means betweenthe ball and socket preventing disengage mcnt but allowing universalrelative angu- 'lar movement thereof, a gasket member slidable in thecylindrical recess and having a curved face bearing against the'innerportion of the ball, a conical ring bearing on the gasket, anotherseparate gasket member of soft :material pressed between thering and thewall of the socket, and a con1pression spring mounted between the socketand the last named gasket member. V

, 3. A flexible pipe connection, comprising a socket having asubstantially cylindrical recess, a'ball projecting within said recessbut not in contact with the side wall thereof,rcon-necting means betweenthe ball and socket preventing disengagement but allow ing universalrelative movements thereof, a gasket member of relatively hard materialslidable inithe cylindrical recess and having a curved face to bearagainst the ball, a

' conical metallic ring behind the gasket, and

a separate gasket member of softer material than sa d first named memberadapted to be pressed between the ring and the wall of the recess.

4. A flexible pipe connection comprising a socket having a substantiallycylindrical recess. a ball projecting within said recess but not incontact with the wall-thereof, connee-ting means between the ballandsocket preventingdisengagement but allowing universal relative movementsthereof, a gasket member slidable in the cylindrical recess and having acurved forward face to bear against the ball, and a conical rear faceproviding a tapered recess between the rear portion of the gasket andthewalls of the socket, a thin V metallic conical ring behind thegasket, and a gasket member of softer material than the other gasketmember adapted to be pressed into the tapered recess between the ringand the socket. I i

5. A flexible pipecorinection comprising socket having a substantiallycylindrical V recess, a ball mounted in the recess but not i in contactwith the wall'thereof, connecting means between the ball, and socketpreventinc disengagement but allowing freeuniversal angular" movementsbetween them; a gasket member slidable in the cylindrical recess andhaving curved face to bear against the ball, a cylindrical outer face,

recess ,between the gasket and the wall of the socket, a metalhc'elementenclosing; the cylindrical and conical faces of the gasket,

and a conical rear face providinga tapered and a gasket. member adaptedto be pressed into the tapered recess between the metallic element andthe wall of the socket.

6. Aflexibl'e' pipe connection con'iprisin'g a socket having asubstantially cylindrical recess, a ball mounted in the recess but notin contact with the wall thereof,..connecting meansbetween the ball andsocket prevent-- ing disengagement but allowing free univ'ersal'angularmovements between them, an

outer gasket member slidable in the cylindrical recess and having acurved face to bear against; the ball, a cylindrical outer face, and aconical'rear face providing a taperedrrecess between the gasket and thewall of the socket, a metallic follower enclosing the cylindrical andconical faces of the gasket, an inner gasket member adapted to bepressed intothe tapered recess between freely movable longitudinally inthe socket comprising a member having a curvedface adapted. to bearagainst the ball, and a conical rear face providing a tapered recessbetween said member and socket, and a second gasket member adapted to bepressed into this recess by the fluid pressure within said pipeconnection.

8.. In a flexible pipe connection, the combination of a'ball, a socket,a gasket freely movable longitudinally in the socket comprising a gasketmember having a curved face adapted to bear against the ball and aconical rear face providinga tapered recess between themember andsocket, a second gasket member intliis recess, and a spring for forcingthe ring into the recess.

. 9, In a flexible pipeconnection, the con1 bination of a'ball, asocket, and a gasket freely movable longitudinally in the socketcomprising a gasket member of relatively hard material having a curvedface to bear against the ball and a conical face providing a taperedrecess between the member and socket, and a gasket member of relativelysoft material pressed into this recess.

'10. In a flexible pipe connection, the combination of a. ball and asocket, a gasket freely movable longitudinally in the socket comprisinga gasket member of relatively hard material having a curved face to bearagainst the ball and a conical face providing a tapered recess betweenthe member and socket, an inner gasket member of relatively softmaterial, and a spring mounted be-' tween the socket and the innergasket member to press the ring into said tapered recess,

V 11. In a flexible pipe connection, the com bination of a ball, asocket, a gasket freely n'nrvable; longitudinally in the socket coma fprising a gasket member of relatively hard material having a curved;face to bear against the ball and a conical face providing a taperedrecess between the member and socket, a metallic follower behind saidmember, and a gasketmember 'of'relative-ly soft material jvpre'ssed intosaid recess.

12'. In a'fiexible pipe connection, the com- I bination of a ball,asocket, a jga-sket freely movable longitudinally in the-socket.comprisin-g'a member: of'relatively hardmaterial having a curved face tobear against the bal'l and a conical face providing a tapered recessbetween said member andlsoeket, a metallic conical ring behind saidgasket member, a gasket member of relatively soft material pressed intothe recess, a flat metal washer behind SillCllZiSt named gasketmemwasher and a portion of the socket.

18. In a flexible pipe connectiomthecom bination of a ball, a socket, agasket freely movable longitudinally in the socket com? prising a memberof relatively hard material having a curved face to bear against theball, a cylindrical outer facefan'd acon'icalrear faceproviding atapered recess between the memberand the socket, a metallicfol'lowerenclosing the cylindricalandconical faces of the ring, and arelatively soft gasket member pressed into the taperedrecess between thefollower and the socket. 14. In a flexible pipe connection,the-"combination of a ball, a' socketfa gasket freely movablelongitudinally in the socket comprisinga member of relatively hardmaterial having a curved face to bear against the ball, a cylindricalouter face, and a conical rear face providing a tapered recess betweenthe member and the socket, a metallic follower enclosing the cylindricaland conical faces of said member, a relatively soft gasket memberpressed intothe tapered recess between the follower and the socket, aflat metal washer behind the last named gasket,

and a portion of the socket.

15. In a flexible pipe connection, the combination of a ball, a socketand a gasket,

'slidable within the socket against the inner end of the ballcomprising-an outer member to bear against the ball and an inner mem berbearing against the end of the outer .meinber, each member being acompleteannulus of resilientmaterial and said members being formed w th'coengaglng wedge faces so that outward pressure against the innermember causes it to be wedged between the outer member and the socketwall. .16. In a flexible pipe connection, the combination of a' ball, asocket, and a gasket I positioned between theball andsocket com prisingtwo members each a oompleteannulus of resilient material, sa d membersbeg a 'ing providedfwith coengaging wedge faces whereby longitudinalpressure on the gasket presses thefotli'en member radially.

expands one member radially and {com 17. vIn a; flexible pipe,connection, the co m- "bination of aball a socket, and a gasketpositioned between the ball and sojcket. com- I V i'isiii ztwoii1embers1each a com lete an- .nulus of resilient material, saidmembers be ing providediwith 'coengaging wedge faces wherebylongitudinalpressure on the gasket expands onefn'ieniiberyradially and-com-' presses the other, member radially, anda con cal metallicringbet-weensaid wedge faces.

18. In alieiiible pipe connection, the coin V binati o'n of a ball,a'socket, and a gasket positionedbetween the ball and socket comiprislngtwo members each a complete annulus, of resilient material, saidmembersbe- 'ing provided with coengaging wedge faces e wherebylongitudinal pressureon the gasket -expands one. member radially andcornpresses the other member radially, 111 com' abination witha springfor'exerting'pressure'against' one end of the gasket.

' .19. A flexible pipe connection, comprising 'avsocket having avsubstantially cylindrical recess, a ball projecting within said recessbut not in contact with the wall thereof, con necting means between theball and socket,

preventing disengagement but allowing-uni-- 'versal relative angularmovements thereof, a gasket member slidable in the cylindrical recessand having a curved forward face to bear against the ball, and a conicalrear face providing a tapered recess between the rear portion of thegasket and. the wall of said socket, and a separately formed gasketmem-' beradapted to be wedged' in'the tapered recess. l I t W I r 20. Aflexible pipe connection, comprising a socket having a substantiallycylindrical recess, a ball projectingwithin said recess but, not'incontact with the wall: thereof,

connecting 'means between the .ball and socket preventing disengagementbut allowing. universal relative angular, movements thereof, a gasket'member slidable in the V cylindrical recess and having a curved forwardface to bear against the ball, and a p I conical rear face provldlng atapered recess 1' between the rear, portion of the gasket and gasketmember adapted to be wedged in the tapered'recess, and a compressionspring the wall. of said socket, a' separately formed mounted betweenthe socket and the last I named gasket member. a

A flexible pipe connection coimprising l a socket having a substantiallycylindrical frecess, a ball projecting within said recessv but not incont ct with the wall thereof,

connecting means between the ball and between the rear portion of thegasket and the wall of said socket, a conical ring behind the gasket,and a separately formed gasket member adapted to be wedged between thesocket and the ring.

22. A flexible pipe connection comprising recess, a ball memberp'rojecting within'said recess but not 1n contact wlth the wall thereof,connecting means between the ball and socket preventing disengagementbut allowing universal relative movements there-- of, a gasket memberslidable 'in the cylin drical recess and havlng a curved forward face tobear agalnst the ball and a conical rear face providing a tapered recessbetween 'the rear portion of the gasket and the wall.

of the socket, a thin metallic conical plate behind the gasket, aseparately formed gasket member adapted to be pressed into the taperedrecess between the ring and the socket, and a compression spring mountedbetween'the socket and the last named ga's- EGBERTH. GOLD].

ket member.

a socket having a substantially cylindrical it

